Play It Forward: Top 10 sports events June 30-July 6 you won’t want to miss

United States' Omar Gonzalez talks to reporters before a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. The U.S. will play against Belgium on Tuesday, July 1, in the round 16 of the 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard talks to reporters before a training session in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. The United States will play Belgium on Tuesday in the round of 16 of the soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

NO. 1: FIFA WORLD CUP

UNITED STATES vs. BELGIUM:

Details/TV: At Salvador, Brazil, 1 p.m. Tuesday, ESPN:

Soccer’s version of the Sweet 16 looks like a real knock-down, drag-out, knockout round as long as Team America stays visible — something for which the American sports TV networks are most thankful, even if it’s a midday start on an otherwise dormant day of the week. Assume this is probably the last week we’ll all have together, though. According to Nate Silver’s fivethirtyeight.com — which we assumed was the name of some kind of trend-setting player alignment on the pitch — the U.S. has about a 42 percent chance of beating Belgium based on a match-prediction algorithm he devised called the Soccer Power Index rating. Consider, too, that since ties are no good anymore in this round, if the U.S.-Belgium game went beyond regulation, the Americans’ chances would sneak up to 46 percent if there was some overtime, sudden death or penalty kicks involved. And how does the return of striker Jozy Altidore factor into this? The hamstring injury he suffered in the Americans’ opening-game match seems to be healing and coach Jurgen Klinsmann says he is optimistic about Altidore being available. Should the U.S. get past the Belgians, it would face the winner of Tuesday’s 9 a.m. Argentina-Switzerland game, a quarterfinal match set for Saturday at 9 a.m. While Silver gives the U.S. just a 20 percent chance of beating Argentina, it would be even money against the Swiss. But then again, since the U.S. advanced all the way to the semifinals in the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, it has only been to the quarterfinals once (in 2002). So if you go by this Silver lining playbook, bet wisely.

NO. 2: TENNIS: 128th WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS

The typical rain delays that have hit the All-England Club would seem to hurt world No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal and seven-time men’s champ Roger Federer. Both of them won their matches Saturday before the weather turned typically bad, but that will force them to each play back-to-back matches on Tuesday and Wednesday leading into Friday’s semfinals (5 a.m., ESPN). Defending champ Andy Murray and top-seed Novak Djokovic won’t be as stressed, playing their fourth-round matches Monday and then the quarterfinals on Wednesday if they get there. America’s last hope, John Isner, will probably have to win five matches in seven days if he’s going to somehow win the men’s title. With Serena Williams’ third-round loss registered, Maria Sharapova becomes the women’s favorite. “I’m just happy to be in the second week,” she said, noting her disappearance after the second round last year. “After last year’s result, I wasn’t satisfied and I was looking forward to coming back. So I am very excited to be through.” The women’s semifinals are Thursday (5 a.m., ESPN).

NO. 3: CYCLING: 101st TOUR DE FRANCE:

Details/TV: Stage 1: 3 a.m. Saturday, NBCSN:

Where else would a tour of France begin but in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England? After heading through Sheffield, Cambridge and London, the world’s biggest bike race jumps the English Channel and channels in on all things French from Stage 4 until it ends in Paris on July 27. For the American contingency, watch for 25-year-old Andrew Talansky, who won the recent Criterium du Dauphine over Chris Froome and Alberto Contador, and 2013 Tour of California winner Tejay Van Garderen.

NO. 4: 2014 HOT DOG EATING CONTEST:

Details/TV: At Coney Island, N.Y., 9 a.m. Saturday, ESPN2:

Bloomberg Businessweek reported recently that even if health-conscious Americans aren’t inhaling hot dogs like they used to, the Nathan’s Famous brand has seen a 15.9 percent sales increase, to nearly $83 million, over a 12-month period ending last March. The chain also says it is outperforming the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index. How does that translate for the standard expectations for the poor folks who compete in this annual dog-eat-dog event? Maybe Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has to eat 500 to really impress the field this year. Chestnut won his seventh consecutive title last year by making a record 69 hot dogs and buns disappear in 10 minutes. Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas returns as the three-time defending womens’ champ, even if the 36¾ dogs she did a year ago was down from the 40 and 45 she had the previous two years.

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NO. 5: MLB: DODGERS vs. CLEVELAND

Details/TV: Monday-Wednesday, SportsNet L.A.:

The Indians’ rotation sets up for former Hart High and UCLA standout Trevor Bauer making the start against the Dodgers in the finale of the three-game series. The 23-year-old Bauer (2-4, 4.39 ERA) threw well enough against the Angels recently in Cleveland to take the win in a 4-3 decision where he gave up three runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings – the longest outing he has had all season, with 119 pitches.

The series: 7:10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 12:10 p.m. Wednesday.

NO. 6: MLB: DODGERS at COLORADO

Details/TV: Thursday-Sunday, SportsNet L.A.:

Winning two of three in Denver just four weeks ago didn’t prove anything for the Dodgers? They somehow held Troy Tulowitzki to five hits in 12 at-bats during that series, and the shortstop out of Long Beach State continues to be on a .447 tear at Coors Field so far after 132 at bats, with 11 homers and 30 RBIs.

NO. 7: MLS: GALAXY vs. PORTLAND

Details/TV: StubHub Center, 8 p.m. Friday, NBCSN:

The annual Fourth of July sparks in the sky are what many come to see. Perhaps the fact the Galaxy is unbeaten in its last five matches (which includes two draws) and has climbed into a sixth-place tie with the Timbers in the Western Conference will ignite more attention.

NO. 8: MLB: ANGELS vs. HOUSTON

Details/TV: Thursday-Sunday, FSW:

The Friday night fireworks will this time commemorate an actual holiday. The display set to go off on Saturday is just for show.

NO. 9: MLB: ANGELS at CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Details/TV: Monday-Wednesday, FSW:

Jose Abreu, the 27-year-old from Cuba playing first base and wearing No. 79 for the White Sox, is more than halfway to passing Mark McGwire’s rookie home record of 49 set with Oakland in 1987. “It’s not a surprise,” says White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “When he gets it on the barrel, it just seems to continue to go. It’s like helium balls, they just continue to float.” The Angels’ bullpen is on alert.

The series: 5:10 p.m. start each day

NO. 10: WNBA: SPARKS vs. PHOENIX

Details/TV: Staples Center, 1 p.m. Sunday, ESPN2:

Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi each scored 23 points when the teams met in L.A. on May 19, but Taurasi’s one-handed runner along the baseline with 32.7 seconds left was enough to push the Mercury to a 74-69 win.